The Rhythms of Nature: Sounds and songs of the seasons
The CD and tour
The original inspiration for the concept came from my lovely wife Emma. She says "Sitting listening to another musician talk during a concert about his recent tour, I thought "Mark could do that!". It was a real 'light bulb' moment, and it didn't take long for Mark to become as excited about the idea as I was. He had never even given a solo concert in Queenstown, his home town for the last 18 years, let alone embarked on a tour - but I knew the idea was a winner. Mark on his own could not have contemplated either prospect, but the two of us could combine our skills to work together in creating a musical gift for a local and nationwide audience."
We had various ideas for the title. We started with the idea of 'romance', as the date we chose for the Queenstown concert was close to Valentines Day. Of course, this wouldn't then have worked at any other time of year, so we moved on to 'Roses'. This didn't give Mark enough scope musically, so the concept of basing the programme around the seasons then emerged. Photo: Emma Wilson
We had various ideas for the title. We started with the idea of 'romance', as the date we chose for the Queenstown concert was close to Valentines Day. Of course, this wouldn't then have worked at any other time of year, so we moved on to 'Roses'. This didn't give Mark enough scope musically, so the concept of basing the programme around the seasons then emerged. Photo: Emma Wilson
The CD - Mark's notes
It seems appropriate that I should be writing something about nature, when I am reflecting upon nature's rhythms and cycles. We cannot enjoy spring if we haven't firstly experienced winter, and we cannot fully live in the warmth and light of the sun, if we haven't at some time felt bleakness and any kind of darkness. As for autumn, I love the warmth, the calmness, the mellowness and the time to shed leaves and to take stock. Summer is warmth and fruitfulness. I have attempted, in my own way, to mix moods and tempos in my new recording to compliment, reflect and celebrate the seasons of the year. And what better vehicle than music to engage with the sounds and the songs of the seasons?
The seasons cannot be generalised, and neither should music. If I have one single motto, it is that I am not aiming to be a jazz pianist, a classical artist or a devotional organist, but simply, a musician. Rhythm and nature are both boundless and timeless, and so, I believe, is music. Life's seasons and rhythms should not, to my mind, be over-analysed. Rather, I aim to reflect and to participate in the free-flowing dance of nature's miracle.
Notes on the music
"Sing to the Lord a new song:. This is the invitation contained in some of the Psalms from the Bible. As a pianist, I say: "Play to the Lord a new piece". I have never played any piece the same way twice. Furthermore, I like the idea of letting my playing unfold. Yes, I need structure, but equally, spontaneity is vital in my musical world. Apart from "Where the Bee Sucks", where I have been well-behaved, the rest of the album is built on a spirit of spontaneity (no studio re-mastering here!).
For details of how to purchase the CD, please visit the 'Contact' page (found in 'more...' on the tabs at the top of this page)
The seasons cannot be generalised, and neither should music. If I have one single motto, it is that I am not aiming to be a jazz pianist, a classical artist or a devotional organist, but simply, a musician. Rhythm and nature are both boundless and timeless, and so, I believe, is music. Life's seasons and rhythms should not, to my mind, be over-analysed. Rather, I aim to reflect and to participate in the free-flowing dance of nature's miracle.
Notes on the music
"Sing to the Lord a new song:. This is the invitation contained in some of the Psalms from the Bible. As a pianist, I say: "Play to the Lord a new piece". I have never played any piece the same way twice. Furthermore, I like the idea of letting my playing unfold. Yes, I need structure, but equally, spontaneity is vital in my musical world. Apart from "Where the Bee Sucks", where I have been well-behaved, the rest of the album is built on a spirit of spontaneity (no studio re-mastering here!).
For details of how to purchase the CD, please visit the 'Contact' page (found in 'more...' on the tabs at the top of this page)